Artistic render of two workmen in high visibility wear walking outside through a corridor of large batteries
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Reeves Plains Energy Hub

Enhancing South Australia's energy security and grid stability

Alinta Energy is developing an energy hub at Reeves Plains, located about a 50-minute drive north of Adelaide.

Graphic showing the layout of the Reeves Plains site
MC926 Reeves Plains Map

Two technologies, one hub

The Reeves Plains Energy Hub is a significant development aimed at enhancing South Australia's energy security and grid stability.

It has two elements: a battery and a gas-fired power station.

The battery will provide electricity storage capacity and will be built in two stages.

The gas-fired power station would be able to power 300 MW of on-demand and fast-start electricity when it's needed most.

As Australia transitions to net zero, the energy hub will provide a mix of energy solutions and will help provide reliable and stable supply into the grid.

Reeves Plains Battery overview

  • Objective: Stabilise the power grid by storing excess energy for high-demand periods.
  • Capacity: Each 250 MW battery can power around 300,000 households for up to four hours.
  • Development stages:
    • Stage 1: 250 MW battery with four hours of storage.
    • Stage 2: Additional 250 MW battery with a further 4 hours of storage capacity, totalling 500 MW of capacity.

Indicative timeline - Battery stage 1

Development
Development

Ongoing environmental, technical, and feasibility studies.

Construction
Construction

Begins in early 2026, involving earthworks, equipment installation, and landscaping.

Operational
Operational

Stage 1 operational by 2028 with a 20-year lifespan.

Project elements
Each stage will include approximately 194 battery modules and 87 inverters, electrical connections, substation, water storage, office and control room, vegetated site screening, as well as fencing and lighting.

Bairnsdale Power Station in the late afternoon, surrounded by tall brown grasses
Bairnsdale Power Station

Reeves Plains Gas Power Station overview

  • The power station will provide a backup for renewables as coal-fired generation retires.
  • It would be available 24/7, ideal for short-term electricity demand spikes.
  • Development approval was granted in 2018.

Project elements

Gas turbine structures, cooling pond, water tanks, office and control room, vegetated site screening, as well as fencing and lighting.

Gas Power Station status

The gas-fired power station is at an advanced stage of development and we're working through procurement and financing options for the project. We'll keep the community updated on future progress.

Left: Alinta Energy's Bairnsdale Power Station

Benefits

  • Local jobs and business opportunities.
  • The energy hub site is in a farming region with potentioal road upgrades adjacent to the site.
  • Opportunities for primary contractors and local suppliers. If you're a local contractor interested in staying informed about opportunities on the project, please register your details on our ICN Gateway portal.
  • The battery site will have water tanks located near its entrance. These have been located to allow for Country Fire Service access and use in the event of any nearby bushfires.
  • Each project will have its own benefit sharing fund and program to contribute towards local initiatives such as:
    • Education (scholarship programs, skills development and training programs)
    • Energy initiatives (community-based energy projects)
    • Economic participation (opportunities to supply the project and build business capabilities for the future)
    • Social investment and sponsorships    

Community

We'll actively engage with you and your community to gather feedback and ensure your voice is heard. By collaborating closely with you and other community members, we aim to deliver tangible benefits that address the region's specific needs.

We're developing a benefit sharing fund for each project that's part of the Reeves Plains Energy Hub in consultation with your community. This program will be designed to consider benefits for neighbours, local skills and training providers, and the broader community across the project's lifetime. We'll keep you updated as this progresses.

Find out more


Acknowledgement of Country
Alinta Energy acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and conduct our business operations.  We acknowledge the continuing connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to Country and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

campfire